5 Best Burger Spots in Naperville that Locals Rave About

Naperville’s food scene has grown way beyond suburban chains—especially in and around downtown. When locals start debating the best burgers in town, these five places always jump onto the list.

1. Jackson Avenue Pub

Tucked just off the Riverwalk, Jackson Avenue Pub is a cozy, brick‑walled spot that punches well above its weight in the burger department.

Their burger list is long and creative—anything from classic cheddar‑and‑bacon builds to more adventurous toppings like fried eggs, avocado, different cheeses, candied bacon, and specialty sauces. Patties are thick, juicy, and cooked to order, and the buns are soft brioche‑style that hold up.

Locals especially rave about the burgers with spicy elements (jalapeños, chipotle aioli) and the perfectly crispy fries on the side.

2. Oswego Brewing Company (Naperville‑area go‑to)

While technically in nearby Oswego, a lot of Naperville folks will make the short drive for burgers and beer.

Expect a gastropub‑style burger: high‑quality beef, melty cheese, thoughtful toppings like caramelized onions, bacon, aioli, and maybe a fried egg if you’re going all out. Paired with house‑brewed beers and fries or tots, it’s a very solid burger‑night combo.

3. Empire Burgers & Brew

Empire is exactly what it sounds like: burgers and beer, done right. It’s casual, modern, and feels like a proper burger bar.

You’ll find specialty burgers stacked with bacon, blue cheese, mushrooms, jalapeños, fried onions, and more. Patties are nicely seared and still juicy inside, and you can usually customize toppings to your liking. There’s a big craft beer selection that pairs perfectly with salty fries and a messy burger.

4. Black Rock Bar & Grill

Black Rock is known for its “cook on a hot stone” steaks, but the burger menu gets plenty of local love too—especially if you want something rich and indulgent.

Burgers tend to be large and loaded. You’ll see toppings like cheddar or pepper jack cheese, bacon, mushrooms, onion strings, and house sauces, all stacked on sturdy buns. Fries or steak fries come on the side, and the whole thing feels like a splurge in the best way.

5. Portillo’s (Naperville locations)

Portillo’s is a Chicago‑area institution more famous for hot dogs and Italian beef, but their burger is way better than a lot of people expect—and Naperville locals absolutely count it in the “best of” conversation.

It’s a classic fast‑casual burger: well‑seared patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and that signature Portillo’s flavor. It’s not gourmet, but it hits all the nostalgic notes and works perfectly with a side of crinkle‑cut fries and a chocolate cake shake.